Mexican beach lives up to reputation

Akumal Bay, south of Cancun, has a stunning beach with great snorkeling

Mexican beaches - like this one in Cancun - are wonderful. Travel further to a place like Akumal Bay, though, and you'll find magic.

Photograph by: Photo courtesy of Mexico Tourism
, Special to the Sun

Maui, Maui, Maui, I knew wherever my family went I would hear this word and any trip would constantly be compared to our family vacations in Maui -- but I wanted to try something different. I suggested Mexico again to my wife. We had previously holidayed in Puerto Vallarta, but had unfortunately picked July and the rainy season. Very hot and humid! I had heard the warning to the brides-to-be that unless you want to sweat like a Sumo wrestler don't plan a wedding on the West Coast of Mexico in the summer.

I knew the only way I could get my wife and my family back to Mexico was to find the perfect beach and the promise of good weather. I was a little familiar with Cancun but thought this would be somewhat akin to Waikiki -- too busy -- and I wanted something a little off the beaten track.

I longed for a place that the children would enjoy and that would offer great snorkeling for me and a relaxing vacation for my wife. How about an all-inclusive, I suggested. This would satisfy my son, the pickiest eater of the bunch, my wife who could relax without worrying what we would have for dinner, and for me, I liked the open bar concept. My low-maintenance daughter was always happy with any vacation.

With the aid of the Internet, I Googled "best beaches in Mexico." Akumal Bay, just south of Cancun on the Caribbean, kept coming up. I did some more searching and found the little town of Akumal, with only one all-inclusive resort. Unfortunately I had left this a little late and this resort was full.

A couple of bays over, but with a similar name, was the Oasis Akumal. The property looked like a modest three-star, but I was more concerned with the beach. The beach pictures looked spectacular and it was these pictures that convinced me to book this resort.

Rather than heading to the desk when we arrived, I wanted to see the beach. I really don't know what the point was, as we certainly could not head off to another resort if it was not to my liking.

After my first glimpse, I knew I had picked the perfect spot. The beach was stunning. The gentle blue waters of the Caribbean lapped at white sand. I returned to the front desk to be assigned to our room. Unfortunately we were headed to the dreaded "E" building at the back of the resort. Two days later after my wife spoke to Anna at the front desk we were able to move to the front of the resort to rooms that had spectacular views of the Caribbean.

My daughter and I took the snorkeling tour with one of the staff. It lasted about 30 minutes and took us to the outer reaches of the reef and back to shore. I now knew we had arrived at the perfect snorkeling location. The reef protected us from the waves and it was as though we were in an aquarium, as I had never seen such a concentration of marine life. The rest of my trip was going to be spent in the water!

I did want to see the little town of Akumal and met a letter carrier from Dallas who told me all about it. He had been to this resort about 12 times before and seemed to know his way around. We agreed we would meet the next morning at 9 a.m. He finally showed up at the beach bar at 9:30 sipping on his fortified coffee.

We agreed we would split the cab fare, he looking after the trip there and I paying for the return. I knew enough abut Mexico to know to agree on a cost before getting into the cab. The fare for the ride to Akumal was $10.

In 15 minutes we arrived at Yalku Lagoon for a morning's snorkel. The snorkeling entailed long narrow channels and the neat part was that many channels had long ropes so that you could pull yourself along. After the snorkeling we embarked on a short walk back to the small town of Akumal. My companion was more interested in having a beer rather than the walking.

We stopped at a bar that had three skeletons parked at the end of the long counter. We opted for the beach bar and the faster service. I thought the $4 cost for a beer a little steep for Mexico, but where on else could you enjoy this view, with Akumal Bay at your feet. I negotiated a $4 fare back to the resort and added a $2 tip.

The family trip the next day was a 20-minute cab ride to Playa del Carmen and the shops along 5th Ave., which predominately displayed copied designer goods. This was an enjoyable day that allowed the ladies to do a little shopping. On the way home I pleaded with cab driver to slow down in exchange for more money.

All and all it was a great adventure and probably the most stress-free, relaxing vacation ever.

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